Clematis plant named &#39;MISTY&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Clematis  cultivar named ‘Misty’ is disclosed, characterized by short, very compact plant growth and a long flowering period. Flowers are distinctively light Violet-Blue in color. The new cultivar is a  Clematis , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor during 2008. June of 2008, the inventor, Friedrich ManfredWestphal, a citizen of Germany, made a crossing of the seed parentClematis lanuginosa ‘Carnaby’, unpatented, with the pollen parent,Clematis lanuginosa ‘William Kennett’, unpatented Seeds originating fromthis crossing were planted out, and the new variety was selected Jul. 1,2009. All work was conducted at a commercial nursery in Prisdorf,Germany.

The inventor first propagated ‘Misty’ by vegetative cuttings at thecommercial nursery in Prisdorf, Germany in May of 2011. Subsequentgenerations have shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Misty’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘Misty’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘Misty’ as a new and distinct Clematis cultivar:

1. Very short, compact plant habit.2. Long flowering period3. Distinctive very light violet blue color.4. Large flower size

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Misty’ are similar to plants of the seedparent; Clematis lanuginosa ‘Carnaby’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘Misty’ are shorterand more compact. Additionally, plants of ‘Misty’ produce flowers thatare light violet blue, whereas flowers of ‘Carnaby’ are pink and darkpink.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Misty’ are similar to plants of the pollenparent; Clematis lamiginosa ‘William Kennett’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘Misty’ are shorterand more compact. Additionally, plants of ‘Misty’ produce flowers thatare much lighter colored than the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘Misty’ can be compared to the well known, unpatented commercial variety‘Lasurster’. While ‘Misty’ and ‘Lasurstern’ are similar in mosthorticultural characteristics, plants of ‘Misty’ shorter, and produce amuch lighter colored flower.

‘Misty’ can also be compared to Clematis ‘Asagasumi’, unpatented Thevarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, however,plants of ‘Misty’ are shorter, and less vigorous. Additionally, plantsof ‘Misty’ produce flowers that are light violet blue, whereas flowersof ‘Asagasumi’ are white.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a closeup of typical foliage and flowers of ‘Misty’ grown outdoors in Germany.The plant is approximately 1 year old, and is planted in the ground. Thephotograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colorsmay appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it isas accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Misty’ plants grown in a greenhouse inPrijsdorf, Germany. Plants are approximately 1 year old, in a 1 liternursery container. The greenhouse is unheated and unshaded. Temperaturesranged from 2° C. to 20° C. at night to 5° C. to 35° C. during the day.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Clematis lanuginosa ‘Misty’-   Propagation:    -   -   Time to rooting.—Initiation: Approximately 30 days in the            Summer at approximately 24° C. Rooted cuttings production:            Approximately 65 days in the Summer at approximately 20° C.            to 26° C.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous.-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Climbing vine.        -   Height.—Approximately 150 cm, measured from the soil line of            the pot after approximately 1 year.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 45 cm after approximately 1            year.        -   Growth rate.—During active growing season in Spring,            approximately 20 to 30 cm per month.        -   Branching characteristics.—One main stem, and 1 to 5 lateral            branches, typically given a pinch.        -   Length of main stem.—Approximately 120 cm.        -   Diameter of main stem.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Main stem color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A, flushed            Greyed-Red 178A.        -   Main stem texture.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Internode length.—Varies from 7 to 9 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong, flexible, semi-woody.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf.—Type: Simple Arrangement: Opposite. Leaves per lateral            Branch: Average 3 Average Length: Approximately 3 to 5 cm.            Average Width: Approximately 2.5 to 3.5 cm. Shape of blade:            Narrow heart shaped. Apex: Acute. Base: Cordate. Margin:            Entire. Texture of lop surface: Smooth. Texture of bottom            surface: Smooth. Leaf internode length: Approximately 2 cm.            Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 137A, flushed with Greyed-Red            178A Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137.            Venation: Type: Pinnate Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 147A, flushed Greyed-Red 178A Venation color            under side: Near RHS Green 137A, flushed Greyed-Red 178A            Petiole: Average Length: Approximately 5 to 6 cm. Color:            Near RHS Greyed-Red 180A. Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm.            Texture: Smooth.-   Flower:    -   -   Bloom period.—Natural Season: Continuously from Spring to            mid Summer.        -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Single, axillary; flowers            facing outward.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—Approximately 14 days, after            fully opened. Self-cleaning.        -   Quantity of flowers.—Approximately 20 flowers occur over 70            days. Approximately 1 to 5 per flowering stem.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: Approximately 14 to 16 cm.            Depth: Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Corolla.—Tepal arrangement: Single whorl, slightly            overlapping Quantity: Approximately 6 flower. Size: Length:            Approximately 6 to 7 cm. Width: Approximately 2.5 cm.            Margin: Entire, slightly undulating Apex: Acute Base:            Truncate. Texture: Smooth, velvety.        -   Color.—Tepals: When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS            Violet-Blue 97A, center near 97D Lower surface: Near RHS            Violet-Blue 97B Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS            Violet-Blue 97B, center near 97D Lower surface: Near RHS            Violet-Blue 97C Ageing: Upper Surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue            97C, center near 97D Lower Surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue            97C.        -   Bud.—Shape: Ovate Length: Approximately 2 to 4 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 1.5 cm. Color: Mainly Near RHS Violet-Blue 97D            with base flushed Violet-Blue 97A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: Approximately 4 to 8 cm. Width:            Approximately 0.4 cm. Angle: Average 70°Strength: Strong,            flexible. Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue 97A Fragrance: None.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number: Approximately 80 to 100 per flower. Anther            length: 0.8 cm 1.2 cm Anther color: Near RHS Purple N79A            Anther shape: Oblong Pollen quantity: Not observed to date.            Filament length: Approximately 1.2 to 2.0 cm. Filament            aspect: Straight. Filament Color: Near RHS Violet-Blue 97D.        -   Pistil.—Number: Approximately 50 to 60 per flower. Length:            Approximately 0.8 cm. Style color: Near RHS White 155B Style            length: Approximately 0.7 cm. Stigma: Shape: Linear. Color:            Near RHS White 155B.-   Other characteristics:    -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Not observed to date.        -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither resistance nor            susceptibility to pathogens and pests common to Clematis            have been observed.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerates temperatures from            approximately −20° C. to 45° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clematis plant named ‘Misty’ as herein illustrated and described. 